Working as a barangay tanod, the father left the kids at home to report for duty, but he padlocked the door. The victims' mother is an overseas Filipino worker in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the report stated.

During an interview, the father said he was on his way home bringing food for his children when the incident happened. He felt remorseful for what he had done after knowing that his children were already dead.

An investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection to find out the cause of the fire.